Surgical drill guide

ABSTRACT

Drill guides are disclosed herein that include a tapered projection that hooks under a bone to position the drill guide relative to the bone. The drill guide is used to drill a hole that receives a suture anchor.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to surgical drill guides.

SUMMARY

Surgical drill guides are disclosed that allow a hole to be drilled intoa bone at a desired location. A drill bit is inserted into a slot of adrill guide to create a hole in a bone. The drill guide can be used forguiding the drill bit during formation of the hole in the bone.Additionally, a drill guide can have various sizes and shapes, dependingon the size and shape of a patient's anatomy, etc. and the type of bonethe drill guide is used with.

Drill guides are disclosed herein that include a tapered projection thathooks under a bone to position the drill guide relative to the bone. Thedrill guide is used to drill a hole in the bone, and a suture anchor isinserted into the hole.

In an embodiment, a drill guide includes an elongated body and a cap ata proximal end of the drill guide. An outer dimension of the cap isgreater than an outer dimension of the elongated body. The drill guideincludes a slot that extends along a longitudinal axis of the drillguide, and the slot extends through both the elongated body and the cap.The slot extends less than 180° about the longitudinal axis. The slot isuninterrupted along a length of the drill guide. At a distal end of thedrill guide, the elongated body includes a planar end surface and atapered projection that extends at an obtuse angle relative to theplanar end surface. The drill guide includes a handle at the proximalend of the drill guide.

In another embodiment, a drill guide includes an elongated body and acap at a proximal end of the drill guide. The drill guide includes aslot that extends along a longitudinal axis of the drill guide. The slotextends through both the elongated body and the cap. At the distal endof the drill guide, the elongated body includes an end surface and atapered projection that extends at an angle relative to the end surface.

In another embodiment, a drill system includes a drill guide. The drillguide includes a cap at a proximal end of the drill guide and anelongated slot that extends along a longitudinal axis of the drillguide. The elongated slot extends through both the elongated body andthe cap. At the distal end of the drill guide, the elongated bodyincludes an end surface and a tapered projection that extends at anangle relative to the end surface. The drill system includes an insertthat is received in the elongated slot of the drill guide. The insertincludes elongated body and a cap, and an outer dimension of the cap isgreater than an outer dimension of the elongated body. The insert alsoincludes a cannula that extends through the elongated body and the cap.The drill system also includes a drill bit, and the drill bit includes adrill tip, an elongated shaft, and a stop on the elongated shaft. Anouter dimension of the stop is greater than an outer dimension of theelongated shaft. A cannula extends through the elongated shaft and thestop. A wire is receivable in the cannula of the insert and the cannulaof the drill bit.

In another embodiment, a surgical method includes positioning a taperedprojection of a drill guide under a talus, inserting a drill into anelongated slot of the drill guide, and drilling a hole in the talus withthe drill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic side view of an embodiment of a drillguide;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of thedrill guide;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of adrill system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of thedrill guide positioned on a talus;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of thedrill guide positioned on a fibula; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an ankle joint with two suture anchors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Surgical drill guides allow a surgeon to accurately drill a hole in abone a desired location. The hole is drilled in the bone through a slotof the drill guide. A drill guide can be used for guiding a drill duringformation of a hole in bone. Additionally, a drill guide can havevarious sizes and shapes, depending on the size and shape of a patient'sanatomy, etc. and the type of bone the drill guide is used with.

Disclosed herein are drill guides including a tapered projection thatcan hook onto a bone, securing and positioning the drill guide relativeto the bone in a desired location prior to drilling. As the projectionis tapered, the projection can easily fit behind bones to secure thedrill guide relative to the bone. Additionally, the shape of the taperedprojection will not accidentally grab unwanted suture or soft-tissue.

In an embodiment, a drill guide includes an elongated body and a cap ata proximal end of the drill guide. An outer dimension of the cap isgreater than an outer dimension of the elongated body. The drill guideincludes a slot that extends along a longitudinal axis of the drillguide, and the slot extends through both the elongated body and the cap.The slot extends less than 180° about the longitudinal axis. The slot isuninterrupted along a length of the drill guide. At a distal end of thedrill guide, the elongated body includes a planar end surface and atapered projection that extends at an obtuse angle relative to theplanar end surface. The drill guide includes a handle at the proximalend of the drill guide.

In another embodiment, a drill guide includes an elongated body and acap at a proximal end of the drill guide. The drill guide includes aslot that extends along a longitudinal axis of the drill guide. The slotextends through both the elongated body and the cap. At the distal endof the drill guide, the elongated body includes an end surface and atapered projection that extends at an angle relative to the end surface.

In an embodiment, the slot is uninterrupted along a length of the drillguide. The slot extends less than 180° about the longitudinal axis. Inan embodiment, the end surface is a planar end surface. In anembodiment, the tapered projection extends at an angle of about 110°relative to the end surface. In an embodiment, a handle is located atthe proximal end of the drill guide. In an embodiment, an outerdimension of the cap is greater than an outer dimension of the elongatedbody. In an embodiment, the angle between the end surface and thetapered projection is an obtuse angle.

In another embodiment, a drill system includes a drill guide. The drillguide includes a cap at a proximal end of the drill guide and anelongated slot that extends along a longitudinal axis of the drillguide. The elongated slot extends through both the elongated body andthe cap. At the distal end of the drill guide, the elongated bodyincludes an end surface and a tapered projection that extends at anangle relative to the end surface. The drill system includes an insertthat is received in the elongated slot of the drill guide. The insertincludes elongated body and a cap, and an outer dimension of the cap isgreater than an outer dimension of the elongated body. The insert alsoincludes a cannula that extends through the elongated body and the cap.The drill system also includes a drill bit, and the drill bit includes adrill tip, an elongated shaft, and a stop on the elongated shaft. Anouter dimension of the stop is greater than an outer dimension of theelongated shaft. A cannula extends through the elongated shaft and thestop. A wire is receivable in the cannula of the insert and the cannulaof the drill bit.

In an embodiment, the slot is uninterrupted along a length of the drillguide. In an embodiment, the slot extends less than 180° about thelongitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the end surface is a planar endsurface. In an embodiment, the tapered projection extends at an angle ofabout 110° relative to the end surface.

In another embodiment, a surgical method includes positioning a taperedprojection of a drill guide under a talus, inserting a drill into anelongated slot of the drill guide, and drilling a hole in the talus withthe drill.

Methods include performing surgery utilizing the drill guide disclosedherein. In particular, the methods disclosed herein position and securethe disclosed drill guide relative to a bone in a desired location andposition prior to drilling the hole.

For example, a method includes positioning the drill guide approximately45° relative to a bone. An end surface of a tapered projection ispositioned at a desired location relative to the bone to hook the drillguide under the bone. An insert is inserted into an elongated slot ofthe drill guide. A wire is then inserted into a cannula of the insertand into a pre-drilled pilot hole. The insert is then removed from theslot, leaving the wire in the slot. A drill bit is received in the slotof the drill guide such that the wire is received in a cannula of thedrill bit. A hole is drilled in the bone. After removing the drill bitand the wire, a suture anchor driver installs a suture anchor in thehole in the bone for use in a surgical repair.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary drill guide 10. The drill guide 10includes a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. The drill guide 10includes an elongated body 16 and a cap 18 located at the proximal end12 of the drill guide 10. An outer dimension 20 of the cap 18 is greaterthan an outer dimension 21 of the elongated body 16. In one example, thedrill guide 10 is made of metal.

A slot 24 extends along a longitudinal axis A of the drill guide 10. Theslot 24 extends from the proximal end 12 of the drill guide 10 to thedistal end 14 of the drill guide 10 through both the elongated body 16and the cap 18. The slot 24 has a width W that is uninterrupted along alength L of the drill guide 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the slot 24extends less than 180° about the longitudinal axis A.

The elongated body 16 includes an end surface 26 located at the distalend 14 of the drill guide 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the endsurface 26 is flat and planar. In one exemplary embodiment, the endsurface 26 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill guide10. A tapered projection 28 extends from the end surface 26 of theelongated body 16. In one exemplary embodiment, the tapered projection28 extends at an angle C° relative to the end surface 26. In oneexemplary embodiment, the angle C° is an obtuse angle. In one exemplaryembodiment, the angle C° is approximately 110° The tapered projection 28includes a planar surface 29 that engages a bone and a curved endsurface 34. The tapered projection 28 extends from the end surface 26and tapers inwardly towards the curved end surface 34. In one exemplaryembodiment, the tapered projection 28 extends at an angle B° relative tothe longitudinal axis A. In one exemplary embodiment, the taperedprojection 28 extends at an angle of approximately 20° from thelongitudinal axis A.

A handle 36 is located at the proximal end 12 of the drill guide 10. Thehandle 36 can be grasped by a surgeon during a surgical procedure. Thehandle 36 has a roughened surface and is located between the cap 22 andthe tapered projection 28 and closer to the cap 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, during a surgical procedure, the drill guide 10 ispart of a drill system 37 that also includes an insert 38, a wire 40,and a drill bit 42.

The insert 38 includes an elongated body 41 and a cap 44. In oneexemplary embodiment, the elongated body 41 and the cap 44 are bothcylindrical and have a cross-section of two concentric circles. An outerdiameter 47 of the cap 44 is greater than an outer diameter 48 of theelongated body 41. A cannula 50 extends through the elongated body 41and the cap 44. However, the elongated body 41 and the cap 44 can haveany shape.

In one embodiment, the wire 40 is a Kirschner wire 40 that includes avisual marking 45 that allows for alignment with a portion of the insert38, such as a line or a recess. The wire 40 is made of stainless steel.

The drill bit 42 includes a drill tip 52, an elongated shaft 54, and astop 56 on the shaft 54. The drill bit 42 includes a cannula 57. In oneexemplary embodiment, the elongated shaft 54 and the stop 56 are bothcylindrical and have a cross-section of two concentric circles. An outerdiameter 58 of the stop 56 is greater than an outer diameter 59 of theelongated shaft 54. However, the elongated shaft 54 and the stop 56 canhave any shape. The cannula 57 extends through the elongated shaft 54and the stop 56.

As shown in FIG. 4, in one exemplary embodiment, the drill guide 10 isused during an ankle surgery. During surgery, a surgeon grasps thehandle 36 of the drill guide 10, and the drill guide 10 is positioned45° relative to a talus 60. The end surface 26 of the tapered projection28 is positioned at a desired location relative to a talus 60 so thatthe tapered projection 28 hooks under the talus 60 at the sinus tarsi.The insert 38 is inserted into the slot 24 of the drill guide 10. Thecap 44 of the insert 38 contacts the cap 18 of the drill guide 10 to actas a stop and prevent further insertion of the insert 38. The wire 40 isthen inserted into the cannula 50 of the insert 38 and into apre-drilled pilot hole until the marking 45 of the wire 40 aligns withthe cap 46 of the insert 38. The insert 38 can then be removed from theslot 24 of the drill guide 10, leaving the wire 40 in place in the slot24 of the drill guide 10.

The drill bit 42 is then used to drill a hole in the talus 60. Thecannula 56 of the drill bit 42 is aligned with the wire 40, and thedrill bit 42 is slid in the slot 24 of the drill guide 10 until the stop56 of the drill bit 42 engages the cap 18 of the drill guide 10,providing an automated depth stop. The drill bit 42 is then used todrill a hole in the talus 60. After the hole is formed in the talus 60,the drill bit 42 is removed from the slot 24 of the drill guide 10, andthe wire 40 can then be removed from the talus 60. A suture anchordriver (not shown) can then be inserted into the slot 24 of the drillguide 10 to install a suture anchor 64 in the hole in the talus 60. Oncethe suture anchor 64 is installed, the drill guide 10 can be removedfrom the talus 60.

In another example, the insert 38 and the wire 40 are not used, and thedrill bit 42 is inserted directly into the slot 24 of the drill guide 10to drill the hole in the talus 60.

As shown in FIG. 5, the drill guide 10 can also be used to create a holein a fibula 62 to receive a suture anchor 66. The tapered projection 28is positioned in a desired location relative to the fibula 62. A hole isdrilled using the steps discussed above, and the suture anchor 66 isinserted into the hole in the fibula 62.

As shown in FIG. 6, in one exemplary embodiment, a suture 68 extendsbetween the two suture anchors 64 and 66 to stabilize the ankle.

As the projection is tapered, the projection can easily fit behind bonesto secure and position the drill guide 10 relative to the bone.Additionally, the shape of end surface 26 and the tapered projection 28will not accidentally grab unwanted suture or soft-tissue.

The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of theinvention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within thescope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwisethan using the example embodiments which have been specificallydescribed. For that reason, the following claims should be studied todetermine the true scope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drill guide comprising: an elongated bodyincluding an end surface at a distal end of the drill guide; a cap at aproximal end of the drill guide, wherein an outer dimension of the capis greater than an outer dimension of the elongated body; a slot thatextends along a longitudinal axis of the drill guide, wherein the slotextends through both the elongated body and the cap, the slot extendsless than 180° about the longitudinal axis, and the slot has a widththat is uninterrupted along a length of the drill guide; a taperedprojection at the distal end of the drill guide that extends at anobtuse angle relative to the planar end surface; and a handle at theproximal end of the drill guide.
 2. A drill guide comprising: a cap at aproximal end of the drill guide; an elongated body including an endsurface at a distal end of the drill guide; a slot that extends along alongitudinal axis of the drill guide, wherein the slot extends throughboth the elongated body and the cap; a tapered projection at the distalend of the drill guide that extends at an angle relative to the endsurface.
 3. The drill guide as recited in claim 2 wherein the slot has awidth that is uninterrupted along a length of the drill guide.
 4. Thedrill guide as recited in claim 2 wherein the slot extends less than180° about the longitudinal axis.
 5. The drill guide as recited in claim2 wherein the end surface is a planar end surface.
 6. The drill guide asrecited in claim 2 wherein the tapered projection extends at an angle ofabout 110° relative to the end surface.
 7. The drill guide as recited inclaim 2 including a handle at the proximal end of the drill guide. 8.The drill guide as recited in claim 2 wherein an outer dimension of thecap is greater than an outer dimension of the elongated body.
 9. Thedrill guide as recited in claim 2 wherein the angle between the endsurface and the tapered projection is an obtuse angle.
 10. A drillsystem comprising: a drill guide including: a cap at a proximal end ofthe drill guide, an elongated body including an end surface at a distalend of the drill guide; a slot that extends along a longitudinal axis ofthe drill guide, wherein the slot extends through both the elongatedbody and the cap, a tapered projection at the distal end of the drillguide that extends at an angle relative to the end surface, an insert tobe received in the slot of the drill guide, wherein the insert includesan elongated body and a cap, and an outer dimension of the cap isgreater than an outer dimension of the elongated body, and the insertincludes a cannula that extends through the elongated body and the cap;a drill bit, wherein the drill bit includes a drill tip, a shaft, and astop on the shaft, and an outer dimension of the stop is greater than anouter dimension of the shaft, and a cannula extends through the shaftand the stop; and a wire receivable in the cannula of the insert and thecannula of the drill bit.
 11. The drill guide as recited in claim 10wherein the slot has a width that is uninterrupted along a length of thedrill guide.
 12. The drill guide as recited in claim 10 wherein the slotextends less than 180° about the longitudinal axis.
 13. The drill guideas recited in claim 10 wherein the end surface is a planar end surface.14. The drill guide as recited in claim 10 wherein the taperedprojection extends at an angle of about 110° relative to the endsurface.
 15. A surgical method comprising: positioning a taperedprojection of a drill guide under a talus; inserting a drill into anelongated slot of the drill guide; and drilling a hole in the talus withthe drill.